ADT: Chan on form and ready for Taifong Open

Chang Hwa, Chinese Taipei, July 17: Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit leader Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei will spearhead the local challenge at next week’s US$160,000 Taifong Open, which is the richest tournament on the burgeoning circuit to date.Having staged five editions on the domestic Chinese Taipei circuit previously, the Taifong Open will return to the highly-rated Taifong Golf Club in Chang Hwa city after a four-year lapse for its ADT debut from July 24 to 27.Title-holder Chan, who claimed his maiden professional win in the last edition in 2010, will headline the stellar cast of stars which comprises over 17 ADT champions and nine players from the current top-10 on Order of Merit in the upcoming Taifong Open, which is the 10th stop on the ADT this season.Local veteran Lin Wen-tang and three-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que of the Philippines, who is playing on a sponsor’s invite, will also feature in the most lucrative event on the ADT, which was launched as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour in 2010.Chan is on a winning streak having lifted two trophies on the domestic circuit in the last three weeks. He has also broken his personal record of having the most number of wins in a single season.Chan had earlier claimed two ADT victories in Malaysia which propelled him to the top of the merit rankings where he currently leads with total earnings of US$28,816.“The year has been really smooth-sailing for me so far. I think the biggest improvement I’ve made is that I can handle stress better during tournaments now. I tend to get angry easily when I don’t play well in the past but now, I’m more patient. My mental game has become better. I guess it’s because I’ve been playing a lot especially on the ADT and the experiences help a lot,” said the 28-year-old.While he aims for a first ADT victory on home soil next week, Chan is also targeting for a fourth ADT title which will etch his name into the record books as the player with the most number of wins on the ADT. No player has ever won more than three tournaments on the ADT.“It will be awesome if I can win an ADT event on home soil. That will be really meaningful since my previous wins were all in Malaysia. It’s good to see the Taifong Open coming onto the ADT schedule. I can finally defend my title after such a long wait. I’m feeling really excited now. Looking forward to the event next week,” added Chan.Outside the ropes, Chan is hoping for a chance to don his lucky blue-polka-dotted white top again as he had worn the same top on the final days of the last four tournaments he won.“I wore it when I won in Langkawi in April and coincidentally wore it again in Johor one month later. I thought that has got to be my lucky top so I decided to wear it on the final rounds of the two local tournaments when I contended and I really did win in the end. I know it sounds crazy but I get a lot of confidence just wearing it,” smiled Chan.Other notable names include 2012 ADT Order of Merit winner Jay Bayron of the Philippines, Australian Unho Park, Zaw Moe of Myanmar and Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing.The tournament has not been staged since 2010 as the venue underwent major upgrading works but the club has committed to host the Taifong Open on the ADT until 2016 with the intention of providing additional playing opportunities for Chinese Taipei players.This season, the ADT will reward the top five players on the final Order of Merit with playing rights for the 2015 Asian Tour season. Previously, only the top-three players were offered Asian Tour cards.For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.About the Asian Development TourThe Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

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